March 28, 2024, 06:39:59 AM
Forum Rules: Read This Before Posting


Topic: Carbon monoxide: HOMO  (Read 12091 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Winga

  • Chemist
  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 510
  • Mole Snacks: +39/-10
Carbon monoxide: HOMO
« on: February 14, 2006, 06:00:21 AM »
According to my two lecture notes, one said the HOMO of CO is a sigma "bonding" orbital formed by C's 2p and O's 2p orbitals (e.g. both are 2px orbitals). While another one said the HOMO is a sigma "antibonding" orbital formed by C's 2s and O's 2s orbitals.

So, which one is correct? (or which one is more preferable?)

Offline Mitch

  • General Chemist
  • Administrator
  • Sr. Member
  • *
  • Posts: 5298
  • Mole Snacks: +376/-3
  • Gender: Male
  • "I bring you peace." -Mr. Burns
    • Chemistry Blog
Re:Carbon monoxide: HOMO
« Reply #1 on: February 14, 2006, 06:31:21 AM »
The answer to every inorganic question you have asked here is in this book. You should buy it and read it. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/093570261X/qid=1139916554/sr=1-7/ref=sr_1_7/002-3684750-5645629?s=books&v=glance&n=283155
Most Common Suggestions I Make on the Forums.
1. Start by writing a balanced chemical equation.
2. Don't confuse thermodynamic stability with chemical reactivity.
3. Forum Supports LaTex

Offline Albert

  • Lonely Wanderer
  • Retired Staff
  • Sr. Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1050
  • Mole Snacks: +112/-22
  • Gender: Male
  • Half Decent Pharmaceutical Chemist
Re:Carbon monoxide: HOMO
« Reply #2 on: February 14, 2006, 06:49:14 AM »
According to my two lecture notes, one said the HOMO of CO is a sigma "bonding" orbital formed by C's 2p and O's 2p orbitals (e.g. both are 2px orbitals). While another one said the HOMO is a sigma "antibonding" orbital formed by C's 2s and O's 2s orbitals.

So, which one is correct? (or which one is more preferable?)

In my opinion, the former is the correct one.
« Last Edit: February 14, 2006, 07:23:47 AM by Albert »

Offline Winga

  • Chemist
  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 510
  • Mole Snacks: +39/-10
Re:Carbon monoxide: HOMO
« Reply #3 on: February 15, 2006, 04:53:06 AM »
The energy level of C's and O's atomic orbitals in this diagram are quite similar.

But another one shows that the energy difference is quite large that gives another pattern.

As you know, it is due to electronegative difference between C and O, but in what extent?
If small, properly, it's just same as your case, if large, it will be another case.

Offline Albert

  • Lonely Wanderer
  • Retired Staff
  • Sr. Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1050
  • Mole Snacks: +112/-22
  • Gender: Male
  • Half Decent Pharmaceutical Chemist
Re:Carbon monoxide: HOMO
« Reply #4 on: February 15, 2006, 06:06:05 AM »
Carbon and oxygen belong to the same period and are quite close to each other.
According to that, I'd say their atomic orbitals have similar energies.

Offline Winga

  • Chemist
  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 510
  • Mole Snacks: +39/-10
Re:Carbon monoxide: HOMO
« Reply #5 on: February 15, 2006, 08:03:57 AM »
Here is another version...

Offline Winga

  • Chemist
  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 510
  • Mole Snacks: +39/-10
Re:Carbon monoxide: HOMO
« Reply #6 on: February 15, 2006, 08:12:49 AM »
After comparing them, I drew a conclusion...

If CO ligand donates e- density to metal centre through sigma bonding (from sigma* orbital), the bond order of CO will greater than 3 (neglect back pi bonding).

I have never heard about such a bond order of CO, I think yours is correct.

Sponsored Links